Hi all.....I have been very hesitant to drive my 911 in these temps without putting winter tires on the car. However, since the roads were dry today (although 7 degrees outside) I drove the 911 to work. I drive 32 miles each way, mostly on the NJ GSP and had no problems. I was about to spend the money for the winter tires but after today, I don't think I need to. I was able to get enough heat in the stock Pirelli's (driving about 75 mph) to feel more than safe. I would like anyone that reads this to chime in on the winter tire question. Thank you and be safe!

 

9 degrees in Raleigh this morning. I drove my GTS with summer P Zeros with no problems. I have never changed over to winter tires. However, I do not drive in snow or ice. I have another car for that. Also, in Raleigh, it usually doesn't stay below freezing for long periods of time. I have been driving high performance cars on summer tires for many years with no problems, but I do not push the car hard if temps below 45.

 

Summer tires lose most if their grip properties at 32 and below. If you are just driving to work in a conservative manner it's probably OK, but don't drive it like its a Porsche.

 

-12 in Erie, PA and I've never felt my car so cold and stiff before. I was afraid a pothole could do the same as in Terminator 2.

 

The only thing you all need to worry about is if the summer tires crack. Michelins and Pirellis are high quality but for example good year eagle f1 summer tires will crack completely if below 30 degrees. Be careful and inspect your tires. Though some summer tires can even be driven in light snow with an AWD car.

 

Be very careful, you will likely be able to get going (at least on flat or decline surfaces) due to the weight over the driven wheels, but braking distance will be very poor.

 

Here's an issue that I wonder about. If you drive on summer tires against manufacturer's warnings and you are involved in a serious accident, are you going to be charged criminally and in civil court?

 

Great point, I never considered that. Hopefully one of the many legal professionals on here will chime in?

 

Great comments guys. I look forward to more. I will check the tires for cracks before I head home from the office today.

 

Driving on summer tires in winter conditions (cold temperatures) is similar to driving on near bald tires. Most of us have done it at some point. It’s not a good idea. No one can really recommend that you do it, but if you are cautious and don’t try and test the laws of physics you will probably be OK.

 

But what is going to happen if you suddenly have to make a sudden/panic stop ? Boom !
Get the winter tires !

 

True, but they can't be stopped in a safe distance on any car...

 

How cold was it? The ambient temperature was 8° When I started the car in the parking lot for my trip home from work. After 10 miles the oil temperature reached up balmy 70° from 10°. I have a set of Sottozero II on the car. I wouldn't even think of driving the car without them this weather

 

I drove my M5 on PSS in low teens yesterday. Tires were fine. Didn't floor the throttle though -that wouldn't have gone well.

 

I would not drive the car aggressively without proper winter tires. I drove the car in sub-freezing or near freezing temps before Thanksgiving (when I changed over to PA4s) and I noticed the car felt noticeably less stable under hard acceleration, turning and braking. The tires were hard and had zero grip. If you live in the tri-state area where it can (and has) stayed below freezing for days at a time, I think it's wise to invest in a second set of tires for safety's sake.